The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today interacted in an At Home event with over 1730 Tribal Guests,, NCC Cadets, NSS Volunteers and Tableaux Artists who would be a part of the 71st Republic Day parade in the National Capital.

Referring to the large enthusiastic gathering, the Prime Minister said they would be showcasing a Mini India at the Republic Day Parade. Saying that the world would see the essence of India during their performance in the Parade, the Prime Minister said India is not a mere geographic or demographic entity.

India is a Way of Life On Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat, Prime Minister said that it should be remembered that India is not only home to 130 crore people but also a nation with a vibrant tradition.

He said India is a way of life, an idea, a confluence of several philosophies and a metaphor for a rich global & universal perspective. He said, “India means one Global Family, India means Equanimity for all Religions, India means Triumph of Truth, India means an idea that permits understanding of the One Truth in different ways, India means the one that loves and protects Flora and Fauna, India Means Self Reliance, India believes that only those who sacrifice can remain blissful, India means the one which believes in welfare of everyone, India means one which worships women, India means one which believes that motherland is more virtuous than Gold” Belief in Unity and not Uniformity The Prime Minister said India’s strength is its diversity in geological and social fabric. He compared India to a floral garland where different flowers stitched together through a common thread of Indianness. He said, “India believes in Unity and not Uniformity. “ Shri Modi said, “Strengthening that thread of unity and preserving it is our continuous effort and toil” He said as a New India progresses, the effort is to see that no one is left behind and no region is left behind. Striving for Fundamental Duties The Prime Minister said that it is time now to give importance to our fundamental duties. “If we deliver our duties sincerely, then there would be no necessity for fighting for our rights” he said.

Prime Minister Shri Modi also witnessed a cultural programme showcased by the Tribal Guests, NCC Cadets, NSS Volunteers and Tableaux Artists

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राष्‍ट्रीय बाल पुरस्‍कार के आप सभी विजेताओं को मेरी तरफ से बहुत-बहुत बधाई। अब आप बधाई लेते-लेते थक गए लगते हो। बधाई ज्‍यादा हो गई ना? कम है कि ज्‍यादा हो गई; ऐसा तो नहीं हुआ ना? अच्‍छा, यहां आते समय मास्‍टरजी ने कहा होगा वहां बिल्‍कुल discipline में रहना है, हाथ-पैर नहीं हिलाने, ऐसा बोला होगा। हां….ये गड़बड़ है। यहां आ करके कैसा लग रहा है आप लोगों को? मतलब क्‍या – मौसम अच्‍छा लग रहा है? राष्‍ट्रपति भवन देखा…पूरा..और आज क्‍या देख रहे हैं? पेड़-पौधे ?

आप में से कितने लोग हैं जो पहली बार दिल्‍ली आए हैं? अच्‍छा…बाकी सब बार-बार आ चुके हैं.. सब परिचित हैं। ये जो पीछे लोग हैं उनके लिए सवाल नहीं हैं मेरे…ये सब बच्‍चों के लिए हैं। वरना prompting पीछे से हो रहा है।

वैसे दिल्‍ली आने का अपना ही एक उत्‍साह होता है, फिर भी मुझे पता है कि आपको जरा जल्‍दी जाने का मूड करता होगा, घर जाने का। देखिए, आपको पक्‍का मन करता होगा जल्‍दी घर जाएं, क्‍या-क्‍या हुआ दोस्‍तों को बताएं, फोटो दिखाएं, अपना अवॉर्ड दिखाएं, दिल्‍ली के अनुभव सुनाएं, दिल्‍ली की ठंड कैसी है, वो बताएं, ऐसा मन करता है ना? किसी का भी करता है जी, अपने सा‍थियों को अपनी अच्‍छी-अच्‍छी बातें बताने का मन हर किसी को करता है। आपको नहीं करता है?

देखिए, पूरी यात्रा की ढेर सारी कहानियां होंगी, जो आप सुनाना चाहते होंगे। आप भले ही न कहते हों, लेकिन आपका मन करता होगा, पहले जा करके दादीजी को तो ये कहना ही कहना है, ऐसा मन करता होगा। और कुछ लोग होंगे जो घर जा करके कहेंगे, देखो आप मुझे मना कर रहे थे, अब पता चला ना मैं अच्‍छा-अच्‍छा काम कर रहा हूं। तो अब आप लोग घर में जा करके मम्‍मी-पापा को डांटोगे? बताओगे- हां-हां देखो हमारे पास फोटो है राष्‍ट्रपति जी के साथ, हम अवॉर्ड लेकर आए हैं, ऐसा करोगे ना? नहीं करोगे? ऐसा हो सकता है क्‍या? अच्‍छा छुपा करके करना, चोरी-छिपे से करना। करेंगे, नहीं करेंगे?

ये क्‍या बचपन खो दिया है आपने? अरे बचपन तो बचा रहना चाहिए। आपका बचपन खो गया है। जिसको ये मन न करे कि मम्‍मी–पापा को भी जा करके बताऊंगा,  ये कहूंगा, उनको ये सुनाऊंगा, तो फिर तो आपने बचपन खो दिया है आपका। तो आपको अलग खुला नहीं छोड़ते हैं मम्‍मी-पापा, पीछे लगे रहते हैं? उनको भरोसा नहीं है, छोटे बच्‍चे हैं क्‍या करेंगे, ऐसा लग रहा है ना? अगली बार बताइए उनको कि मुझे अकेले कहीं जाने दो।

देखिए, थोड़ी देर पहले आप सभी का जब परिचय हो रहा था, तो मैं सचमुच में बहुत हैरान था। इतनी कम आयु में जिस प्रकार से आप सभी ने अलग-अलग क्षेत्रों में कुछ न कुछ करके दिखाया है, कोई प्रयास किए, कोई काम किया है, आपको तो समाधान होगा ही होगा लेकिन आज के बाद आपको कुछ और करने का मन कर जाएगा। और अधिक अच्‍छा करने का इरादा हो जाएगा।

और मैं समझता हूं कि ये सारे जो awards वगैरह होते हैं ना, वो आखिरी मुकाम नहीं होता है। एक प्रकार से ये beginning होता है। जब कोई recognize करता है तो मन को अच्‍छा लगता है। एक प्रकार से ये जिंदगी की शुरूआत है। और आपने मुश्किल परिस्थितियों से लड़ने का साहस दिखाया। आप में से कुछ वीर बालक हैं, कुछ ऐसे भी हैं जिन्‍होंने गंभीर बीमारियों से लोगों को बाहर निकालने के लिए, ease of living के लिए कई नए-नए innovation किए हैं। किसी ने आर्ट एंड कल्‍चर में, किसी ने स्‍पोर्ट्स में, तो किसी ने शिक्षा साहित्‍य में, तो किसी ने समाज सेवा में; विविधताओं से भरा हुआ आपका योगदान रहा है।

आप अपने समाज के प्रति, राष्ट्र के प्रति अपनी ड्यूटी… आपने देखा होगा मैंने लालकिले से एक बात कही थी, याद है किसी को…लाल किले से कुछ कहा था?  याद है ? बहुत कुछ कहा था, कुछ भी कहोगे तो सच निकलेगा। एक बात मैंने कही थी- ‘कर्त्तव्‍य पर बल’। ज्‍यादातर हम अधिकार पर बल देते हैं। अब देश की आजादी को 75 साल होने वाले हैं, तो कब तक अधिकार पर बल देते रहेंगे? अब कर्त्तव्‍य पर बल देना चाहिए कि नहीं देना चाहिए? Duty को प्राथमिकता कि rights को प्राथमिकता? पक्‍का, सब सहमत हैं, चलिए हमने आज एक कानून पास कर दिया।

देखिए, आप अपने समाज के प्रति, राष्‍ट्र के प्रति अपनी ड्यूटी से और उसके लिए जिस प्रकार से जागरूक हैं, ये सिर्फ आपके माता-पिता को नहीं, आपके परिवारजनों के लिए, जो भी आपके बारे में जानेगा उन सबको गर्व होगा,  उनको पक्‍का गर्व होगा।

देखिए, मैं एक काम करूंगा, आप सबकी फोटो के साथ मैं आज आपकी जो स्‍टोरी है, उसको मैं सोशल मीडिया में दुनिया से शेयर करूंगा। हर individual, कैसे आपने किया है, कहां से आए हैं, कैसा रहा है; मैं लिखूंगा उसमें। लेकिन कुछ गलती हो जाए तो फिर आप नाराज मत हो जाना, क्‍योंकि कभी-कभी जानकारियों में गलती हो जाती है।

देखिए दोस्‍तो, आप सब कहने को तो बहुत छोटी आयु के हैं, कम आयु के हैं, लेकिन आपको पता है आपने जो काम किया है, उसको करने की बात छोड़ दीजिए, सोचने में भी बड़े-बड़े लोगों को पसीने छूट जाते हैं। आप में से जिन्‍होंने innovation किया होगा, जब अपने टीचर को बताओगे तो टीचर भी कहेगा, तुम मुझे परेशान मत करो, तुम जाओ। उनको दिमाग खपाते होंगे, टीचर भी नाराज हो जाते होंगे। उनको लगता होगा ये बच्‍चा इतना bright है, ये मेरे पल्‍ले कैसे पड़ गया, ये मुझे पढ़ाता है। ऐसा होता है ना? देखिए, मैं एक बात बताऊं आपको, आप अपने सभी friends और teachers को जरूर बताइएगा। मैं आप सभी युवा साथियों के ऐसे साहसिक काम के बारे में जब भी सुनता हूं, आपसे बातचीत करता हूं, तो मुझे भी प्रेरणा मिलती है, आपसे मैं भी कुछ सीखता हूं। अभी एक बच्‍चे ने मुझे पूछा कि आप इतना काम करते हैं तो मां की याद नहीं आती है; याद करता हूं तो सब थकान उतर जाती है।

सा‍थियो, आप जैसे बच्‍चों के भीतर छुपी इस प्रतिभा को प्रोत्‍साहित करने के लिए ही ये राष्‍ट्रीय पुरस्‍कारों का दायरा बढ़ाया गया है। और ये सिर्फ आपको पुरस्‍कार मिल रहा है, ऐसा नहीं है, इस अवसर के कारण देशभर के बच्‍चों का इन चीजों पर ध्‍यान जाता है। एक प्रकार से आप उनके लिए हीरो बन जाते हैं, आप उनके लिए inspiration बन जाते हैं। जम्‍मू-कश्‍मीर में बैठा हुआ कोई बच्‍चा होगा, लद्दाख में बैठा हुआ बच्‍चा होगा, नागालैंड में बैठा हुआ बच्‍चा होगा; वो केरल के किसी बच्‍चे की कथा सुनेगा तो उसको लगेगा अच्‍छा! हमारे देश के बालक ऐसा कर रहे हैं? ये अपने आप में- कई गुना इसका प्रभाव पैदा होता है, इसकी तरंगें चलती रहती हैं। Waves लगातार नीचे प्रभावित करते रहते हैं और इसलिए इन चीजों की तरफ, इन घटनाओं को कभी कम नहीं आंकना चाहिए, उसका अपना एक महत्‍व है। लेकिन कभी-कभी क्‍या होता है, जब नाम हो जाए, अखबार में तस्‍वीर छप जाए तो फिर हम भी जमीन से दो-तीन फीट ऊपर चलते हैं ना, फिर पैर जमीन पर नहीं पड़ते हैं,  ऐसा हो जाता है ना? फिर घर में भी- देखिए, मुझे कोई काम मत बताइए, मैं National award लेकर आया हूं, ऐसा होता है ना? तो क्‍या ऐसा करोगे आप लोग? पैर जमीन पर रखोगे?

अधिकतम लोगों के जीवन में दो पड़ाव आते हैं- एक सहज भाव से अच्छा करता चला जाता है और जब कहीं recognized हो जाता है, फिर जाने-अनजाने में हवा भर जाती है और फिर वो उसी धुन में रहता है आगे कुछ नया नहीं कर पाता है। उसको लगता है बस हो गया, फोटो छप गई, दिल्‍ली हो आया, राष्‍ट्रपति भवन हो आया, अब क्‍या है। ज़िन्दगी में सब हो गया है। ज़िन्दगी इतनी छोटी नहीं है।

दूसरे वो लोग होते हैं- अगर कुछ किया, कहीं recognized हुआ तो उसी को वो अपनी प्रेरणा बना लेते हैं, उसी को अपनी प्रतिज्ञा बना लेते हैं, उसी में से पुरुषार्थ करने के रास्‍ते खोजते रहते हैं और वे नई-नई चीजों को हासिल करने के लिए रुकते नहीं हैं, थकते नहीं हैं।

मैं चाहूंगा कि आप कभी भी अपने जीवन में उन दूसरे प्रकार की आदतों को घुसने ही मत देना। अभी जो हुआ है वो कुछ नहीं, ऐसा ही मानकर जाइए। ठीक है, अभी तो मुझे बहुत कुछ करना है, देश को बहुत कुछ देना है, खुद को हर प्रकार से तैयार करना है। ये अगर जज्‍बा ले करके जाते हैं तो आप देखिए, आपको इस अवसर का बहुत बड़ा आनंद मिलेगा, उसमें से कुछ नया सीखने को मिलेगा। तो आप बताइए पहले रास्‍ते पर जाएंगे कि दूसरे? अपने हाथ ऊपर कीजिए, कितने लोग हैं जो पहले रास्‍ते पर जाएंगे? अच्‍छा ये बताइए, जो दूसरे रास्‍ते पर जाएंगे, वो कौन हैं? इसका मतलब आप मेरी बात समझे नहीं? मैं ये कह रहा था कि एक रास्‍ता वो होता है जो पहला रास्‍ता, कि जिसमें इसको आप अंतिम नहीं मानते हैं, इसको आप शुरूआत मानते हैं। आपके पैर जमीन से उखड़ नहीं जाते हैं, आप हवा में उड़ने नहीं लगते और कुछ और अधिक करने का संकल्‍प करते हैं, ये पहला रास्‍ता है। दूसरा- यार बहुत हो चुका, अब फोटो छप गई, टीवी में आ गए, अब क्‍या करना है, सो जाओ। तो बताइए कि पहला रास्‍ता है कि दूसरा? पक्‍का, देखिए, पहले गलती की थी ना?

अच्छा, मैं आपसे कुछ सवाल पूछता हूं। आप में से कौन इतने लोग हैं जिनको दिन में चार बार पसीना आता है, भरपूर पसीना आता है, पूरा पसीना-पसीना शरीर हो जाता है, जैसे कोई भी सीजन हो, ठंडी हो, गरमी हो। जिसको चार बार दिन में पूरा पसीना निकलता है, कैसे निकलता है, धूप में खड़े रहते हैं? Morning exercise में? और कोई ? देखिए एक भी बालक ऐसा नहीं होना चाहिए, अपने दोस्‍तों को भी बताइए कि जिसको दिन में चार बार पसीना नहीं आए, ऐसा एक भी बालक नहीं होना चाहिए। मुझे एक बार किसी ने बहुत साल पहले किसी ने पूछा था कि आपके चेहरे पर इतना तेज क्‍यों है तो मैंने बड़ा आसान जवाब दिया था- मैंने कहा मेरे शरीर में इतना पसीना निकलता है, मेहनत करता हूं और मैं उसी पसीने से मालिश करता हूं, इसलिए चमक जाता है। अच्‍छा आप में से कितने लोग हैं जो पानी पीते हैं तो खड़े-खड़े पीते हैं, बैठ करके नहीं पीते? ऐसे कितने लोग हैं? देखिए, पानी जब पीते हैं तो बैठ करके पीजिए। छोटी चीज है लेकिन आपको जा करके उसका शास्‍त्र कोई समझाएगा, मैं उस चक्‍कर में नहीं पड़ता हूं। करेंगे ये?

अच्‍छा आपमें से कितने हैं जो पानी दवाई की तरह पीते हैं? कुछ लोग होंगे जो पानी जूस की तरह पीते होंगे, पानी का भी आनंद लेते होंगे। कुछ लोग होते होंगे दवाई की तरह…आप कितने हैं जो पानी को पानी का मजा लेते हैं, पानी का टेस्‍ट करते हैं? Enjoy करते हैं। आप कोशिश कीजिए पानी का टेस्‍ट होता है, वो शरीर को बहुत फायदा करता है, आप उसको enjoy कीजिए। दवाई की तरह ऐसे पानी लगा दिया, ऐसे मत कीजिए। करेंगे? आप कहेंगे- ऐसे क्‍या फायदा, मां तो कहती है पढ़ाई करो, मैं पांच मिनट तक पानी पी रहा हूं, तो झगड़ा हो जाएगा ना। कभी-कभी मां दूध ले करके आती है, मां को काम है, टीवी सीरियल चल रहा है तो मां कहती है, चल जल्‍दी दूध पी ले और आप वो दूध भी दवाई की तरह पी जाते हो, क्‍योंकि मां को सीरियल देखना है। ऐसा होता है ना? कौन सा- सास भी कभी बहू थी?

छोटी-छोटी चीजें होती हैं, हमने बचपन में शरीर को जो आदतें डाली होती हैं वो जीवनभर काम आती हैं और मन में वो एकदम से फिट बैठ जाती हैं। आपको मालूम है देश में एक अभियान चल रहा है, ‘फिट इंडिया’, पता है? कितनों को मालूम है? तो फिट इंडिया के लिए किस दर्जी के पास जाते हो, किस tailor के पास जाते हो? कौन, फिट इंडिया के लिए tailor के पास कौन जाता है, तो क्‍या करते हैं फिट इंडिया के लिए कोई बताएगा? नहीं, क्‍या करते हैं? exercise कहने से थोड़ा ही होता है, कोई कहेगा मैं सूर्य नमस्‍कार करता हूं, कोई कहता है मैं साइकलिंग करता हूं, कोई कहता है मैं स्‍वीमिंग करता हूं…क्‍या करते हैं? अच्‍छा आप में से कितने लोग हैं फटाफट पेड़ पर चढ़ जाते हैं, फिर उतर जाते हैं? घरवालों को चिल्‍लाना पड़ता है, अरे नीचे उतरो, नीचे उतरो- ऐसे कितने लोग हैं?

देखिए साहस- ये हमारे स्‍वभाव में होना चाहिए। यहां पैर रखूंगा तो गिर जाऊंगा, तो ये करूंगा तो- ऐसे जिंदगी नहीं जीते। साहस के बिना जीवन संभव नहीं है। आप छोटी-छोटी चीजों का साहस करने की आदत बनाओगे तो आगे चलकर वो भी बहुत काम आएगा। और आप जैसे लोग जब करेंगा ना,  तो बाकी 50 लोग देखेंगे- अरे देखो,  ये भी करता है। इतना अवॉर्ड लेकर आया, फिर भी इतनी मेहनत करता है। इतना मान-सम्‍मान ले करके आया, लेकिन देखिए ये काम कर रहा है। तो क्‍या होगा- बहुतों को प्रेरणा मिलेगी। करोगे? पक्‍का करोगे? तो परसों 26 जनवरी की तैयारी? तो सिखाया गया होगा, ऐसे-ऐसे करो? दाहिने हाथ से करना है कि बाएं हाथ से? ये नहीं बताया। जिस तरफ लोग होंगे, उस तरफ करना है। अरे हम होंगे तो पांच मीटर, दस मीटर तक ही होंगे, बाकी तो बहुत भीड़ होती है।

चलिए, मुझे बहुत अच्‍छा लगा आप लोग enjoy कीजिए और दिल्‍ली में बहुत कुछ देखिए। अलग-अलग जगह पर जाइए। लालकिले में आपको मालूम होगा, नेताजी सुभाष बाबू को ले करके, क्रांतिकारियों को ले करके बहुत अच्‍छा म्‍यूजियम बना है। देखेंगे आप लोग? देखकर आए, ले जाने वाले हैं? अच्‍छा वॉर मेमोरियल देखा? हैं, नहीं देखा। देखिए, वॉर मेमोरियल भी देखने जाना चाहिए। और अपने राज्‍य का कोई एकाध भी जो वीर शहीद हुआ होगा, उसका नाम पढ़ करके, लिख करके ले जाना, अपने घर पर। अगर मोबाईल फोन है तो उसकी फोटो निकाल करके ले जाना। देखिए, कर्नाटक के ये वीर शहीद का नाम है, उसका फोटो लेकर जाना चाहिए। किसी को दिखाना चाहिए- देखिए, हमारे कर्नाटक के वीर शहीद का नाम वहां वॉर मेमोरियल में है। हरेक को अपने-अपने राज्‍य का ढूंढना चाहिए। ऐसे ही देखकर नहीं आना चाहिए वो जो नाम लिखे हैं ना उन पर तुम्‍हें गर्व होना चाहिए। यहां एक पुलिस मेमोरियल भी बना है, देखने जाओगे? आपको मालूम है ये देश में 33 हजार से ज्‍यादा पुलिस, कभी-कभी लोग पुलिस से नफरत करते हैं ना? पुलिसवाले कहते हैं, चलो इधर चलो,  साइकिल यहां मत रखो,  बहुत गुस्‍सा होता है ना? 33 हजार पुलिस देश के नागरिकों की रक्षा के लिए शहीद हुए हैं आजादी के बाद। आंकड़ा बहुत बड़ा है, 33 हजार। उस पुलिस के प्रति आदर का, गौरव का भाव बनना चाहिए, देखिए समाज जीवन में एक बदलाव शुरू हो जाएगा। पुलिस मेमोरियल देखोगे ना तो आपको लगेगा कि ये इतना काम होता रहा, ये ऐसे करते रहे। करोगे? पक्‍का करोगे?

चलिए, बहुत-बहुत धन्‍यवाद आपको। बहुत-बहुत शुभकामनाएं।

***

The Vice President of India, Shri M Venkaiah Naidu today called for a total war on corruption and described corruption as a major canker which skews growth and development, deepens poverty and increases inequality.

Delivering the ‘IC Centre for Governance Sardar Patel Lecture on Governance’ at Upa Rashtrapati Niwas, Shri Naidu said that various transformative policies and programmes like Beti Bachao, Beti Padao, Ayushman Bharat, Goods and Services Tax and ‘Swachh Bharat’ are aimed at accelerating the progress and empowering people. “We can accomplish the desired goals only if we have a robust governance system and there is an unflinching commitment to excellence at every level”, he added.

He asked the bureaucracy to be more proactive and ensure that there was no gap in the intent, execution and delivery of various services to the people.

Observing that it was critical for the state institutions to be agile, adaptable and resilient in the rapidly changing 21^st century, he called for strengthening program implementation, improving competence and credibility of institutional structures and adopting a work ethic that keeps national interest at the top and public welfare at its core.

Wondering whether degeneration in moral and social values in the society has led to a general decline in the functioning of public services at every level, Shri Naidu called for an introspection and said that it was imperative to initiate a movement of ethics at all levels in governance of the country.

The Vice President said that there was a need to foster public trust in institutions and the integrity of public officials, while injecting greater accountability into decision-making. “I feel that it is imperative that a movement of ethics is initiated at all levels in governance of the country”, he added.

Asserting that people must be at the center of an effective and just governance system, Shri Naidu called for efforts to ensure that the poorest of the poor and most deserving gets the benefits of government schemes. “Perhaps, we need Process Reengineering in governance. We don’t have to change the system, as is being suggested in some quarters, but we have to make the system work better”, he added.

Paying glowing tributes to Sardar Patel, he described him as the unifier and Iron Man of modern India.

Observing that India owed a huge debt of gratitude to Sardar Patel for unifying the nation into a single territorial entity, the Vice President said that nothing mattered more to Sardar Patel than the interests of the nation.

The Vice President said that Sardar Patel wanted the All India Services, which he conceived as a ‘steel-frame’ of the nation, to provide people-centric governance. “With a clear vision for an efficient administrative system, Sardar Patel wanted the civil servants to maintain the highest standards of probity and efficiency and strive to uplift the conditions of the poor without any fear or favour”, he added.

In this context he recalled that the accession of Jammu and Kashmir to Indian Union was total, final and irrevocable. He also pointed out that Article 370 was only a temporary provision and said that it had outlived its purpose long back.

The Vice President said that unity and consensus on larger issues facing the country was the need of the hour. He advised people to develop a positive outlook and not become cynical. He urged the youngsters in particular to adopt a constructive approach towards nation building.

The Vice President said that all Indians must work together, a collective endeavour, for ushering in Gandhi Ji’s Ram Rajya, where there is all-round inclusive growth without poverty, discrimination, inequality, illiteracy and hunger. ‘Every citizen must strive to protect the unity, safety, security and sovereignty of the country’, he added.

Shri Prabhat Kumar, Former Cabinet Secretary & Former Governor of Jharkhand and President, IC Centre for Governance, Shri Harivansh, Hon’ble Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha and others were present on the occasion.

The following is the full text of the speech:

I am delighted that the ‘IC Center for Governance Sardar Patel Lecture on Governance’ is being held here at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Conference Hall at Uparashtrapati Bhavan today.

I welcome you all to the official residence of the Vice President of India. It gives me immense pleasure to deliver this lecture at this conference hall named after the great son of the soil, the unifier and the Iron Man of modern India – Shri Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

Firstly, let me remind every Indian that each one of us owes a huge debt of gratitude to Shri Sardar Patel for unifying India into a single territorial entity by spectacularly bringing about the merger of more than 560 princely States with the Union of India at its most critical point in the country’s history.

Had he not displayed vision, firmness, pragmatism and tact in nipping in the bud even the remotest thought of a few princely States to remain independent or join Pakistan, India’s geographical contours would have been totally different.

In this context, it is pertinent to recall that the accession of Jammu and Kashmir to the Indian Union by Raja Hari Singh was without conditions. As such it is irrevocable and final. Another aspect is that Article 370 was only a temporary provision and had outlived its purpose long back. With the abrogation of the Article 370, the Union Territories of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh will witness all-round and faster development.

It was our good fortune that Shri Patel was entrusted with the most challenging assignment during India’s turbulent time and the country found the man of the moment in him. It undoubtedly was one of the greatest accomplishments of the 20^th century.

Patel knew that India was under foreign rule because of a lack of unity. Pointing out that our mutual conflicts and internecine quarrels and jealousies in the past had been the cause of our downfall and falling victims to foreign domination several times, he had cautioned “We cannot afford to fall into those errors or traps again.”

Nothing mattered more than the interests of the nation for Shri Sardar Patel.

Apart from ensuring the territorial integrity of the country, he had conceived and created the administrative steel-frame, All India Services, to provide people-centric governance.

Dear sisters and brothers,

Shri Patel wanted post-independent India to stay united without any narrow considerations and divisions based on caste, creed, religion or language. With a clear vision for an efficient administrative system, he wanted the civil servants to maintain the highest standards of probity and efficiency and strive to uplift the conditions of the poor without any fear or favour.

Addressing the Probationers of the first batch of Indian Administrative Service, Sardar Patel said, “The service will now have to adopt its true role of national service, without being trammeled by traditions and habits of the past”.

He was equally keen to ensure that the governance system empowers the rural India and protects farmers’ interests.

As you all are aware, governance has been an enduring subject of discussion among practitioners and laymen alike for many years now.

As I see it, governance is an overarching concept with many dimensions and institutional and political manifestations. Conventionally understood, governance is the way the state and its various institutions negotiate and mediate with people, markets and civil society, through laws, policies, regulation and finance.

The concept of governance has grown beyond the conventional definition. The process of governance is increasingly influenced by market forces as well as civil-society processes and citizen initiatives.

The discourse on governance has grown as a parallel discourse to that of civil society, human rights and globalization. It also provides institutional and legal interfaces through which citizens mediate and interact with the state and seek accountability.

A just, people-centred and inclusive growth approach seeks to transform political and governance processes. Its purpose is social transformation through the realization of rights to all people, and political transformation to challenge unjust power relationships within and among institutions at the national and local level.

Has the degeneration in moral and social values in the society led to a general decline in the functioning of our public services at every level? There needs to be an honest introspection at every level to arrest the declining standards.

It should be always remembered that people have to be at the centre of an effective and just governance system. It must necessarily aim at empowerment of all people in an inclusive manner by providing a transparent and efficient institutional framework and the rule of law.

The right to information is likewise an essential prerequisite for a robust, informed public debate through which decision-makers become answerable to their people, and rights-holders are enabled to assess public and private sector conduct.

Just governance is about ensuring that those vested with authority are not allowed to become corrupted by their power.

Just governance holds decision-makers accountable for actions or omissions. It, therefore, can help foster public trust in institutions and the integrity of public officials, while injecting greater accountability into decision-making.

I feel that it is imperative that a movement of ethics is initiated at all levels in governance of the country.

Corruption is a major canker and has to be relentlessly fought at every level. It is said that corruption skews growth and development, affects the economy, deepens poverty and increases inequalities. It sustains informal power structures.

In this era of Information Technology, corruption can be best compared to a computer virus. The hardware looks the same; the software generally works, but some part of it gets “corrupted” and you find yourself in danger of losing the whole system. Like the virus, corruption may be invisible, small, contained to a few people, but like the virus, its mere existence in an organization puts everything at risk.

We have to declare a total war on corruption which has to become a people’s movement.

I think the system of governance adopted by our constitution makers and national leaders after independence has substantially stood the test of time. It is reflected in the national and political stability and has also, to an extent, aided in the development and economic progress. One can reasonably conclude that the system is capable of managing change from time to time, as observed in managing the economic reforms in the last two decades, and in making progress in many key development sectors.

That is not to say that the system is perfect or that its functioning has been without any defects. I am only saying that the system, if followed honestly and efficiently, is capable of taking care of the problems of the people. Also, in my view, there is no other system of governance more suited to the plurality of our country.

The same, however, cannot be said at the level of institutions and the processes in government. Perhaps, we need Process Reengineering in governance. We don’t have to change the system, as is being suggested in some quarters, but we have to make the system work better.

In the last few years, several administrative and legal reforms were initiated to bring in transparency and accountability. They include measures to curb corruption, unearth black money, and promote ease of doing business and speedy delivery of services to the beneficiary in a hassle-free manner.

In view of increasing globalization, there is a need to take  action against economic fugitives who should not find any safe havens anywhere in the world.  There should be greater cooperation at the international level. Various countries must not only exchange information but also enter into extradition treaties. The United Nations must take the lead in this regard.

The implementation of Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code was another important reform undertaken by the government.

Promoting the use of IT for the delivery of services is equally important to control corruption and ensure transparency. Everything should be online so that people need not stand in line. Direct Benefit Transfer through JAM (Janadhan-Aadhar-Mobile) is a fine example of the use of technology to eliminate bogus beneficiaries and check corruption.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi’s three-word mantra of ‘Reform, Perform and Transform’ seeks to bring in total transformation in all walks of life. A responsible citizenry, honest political class, ethical bureaucracy and a vibrant judiciary will help India to become a role model for others.

Public institutions are at the heart of governance. Good governance thrives on good institutions.

To deliver public services, we have a number of public institutions. The overall performance of the government can be judged by an aggregation of performances of these public institutions.

It should be remembered that in a rapidly changing world, public institutions cannot remain rigid. They need to suitably change their ways of functioning to meet the mounting aspirations of the people. We have to do away with lot of outdated and time-consuming procedures and increasingly use IT to promote transparency and provide efficient delivery of services.

What we need today is effective implementation of laws and policies. The bureaucracy must take the lead in the transformation of institutions. These institutions must be instruments of effective and efficient delivery of public services and socio-economic development.

They should have credibility and competence.

The integrity of the governance institutions is very essential. They should be transparent and accountable in respect of everything they do.

In the rapidly changing 21st century, it is critical that state institutions are agile, adaptable and resilient. The bureaucracy must become more pro-active and ensure that there is no gap in the intent, execution and delivery of various services to the people.

Various transformative policies and programmes like Beti Bachao, Beti Padao, Ayushman Bharat, Goods and Services Tax,  ‘Swachh Bharat’, ‘Make-in-India’, ‘Digital India’, ‘Start-up India’, and ‘Skill India’  are aimed at accelerating the progress and empowering people. We can accomplish the desired goals only if we have a robust governance system and there is an unflinching commitment to excellence at every level.

Taking a leaf out of Sardar Patel’s life and the extraordinary mission accomplished by him, I would suggest that we focus on strengthening programme implementation; on building up the competence and credibility of institutional structures and adopting a work ethic that keeps the national interest at the top and public welfare at its core.

People need to develop a positive outlook and not become cynical. Everybody, particularly the youngsters, should adopt a constructive approach towards nation building. Through a collective endeavour, all Indians must work together for ushering in Gandhi Ji’s Ram Rajya , where there is all-round inclusive growth without poverty, fear, corruption, discrimination, inequality, illiteracy and hunger.

Every citizen must strive to protect the unity, safety, security and sovereignty of the country.

I am sure that all those involved in delivering public services will rise to the occasion and strive to make India one of the best countries in the world in providing citizen-centric governance.

JAI HIND

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The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, will address the nation tomorrow (January 25, 2020) on the eve of the 71^st Republic Day.

The address will be broadcast from 1900 hrs. on the entire national network of All India Radio (AIR) and telecast over all channels of Doordarshan in Hindi followed by the English version. Broadcast of the address in Hindi and English on Doordarshan will be followed by broadcast in regional languages by regional channels of Doordarshan. AIR will broadcast regional language versions from 2130 hrs. onwards on its respective regional networks.

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NITI Aayog released its vision for the National Data and Analytics Platform (NDAP) today. The platform aims to democratize access to publicly available government data. It will host the latest datasets from various government websites, present them coherently, and provide tools for analytics and visualization. NDAP will follow a user-centric approach and will enable data access in a simple and intuitive portal tailored to the needs of a variety of stakeholders.

NDAP will spearhead the standardization of formats in which data is presented across sectors and will cater to a wide audience of policymakers, researchers, innovators, data scientists, journalists and citizens.

The vision document was released by Dr Rajiv Kumar, Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog, in the presence of Mr Amitabh Kant, CEO, NITI Aayog, senior officials from various ministries and state governments, academics and researchers.

In his opening remarks, Dr Rajiv Kumar said, ‘India has made tremendous progress in generating and using data for policymaking and programme implementation. It is now time to build on these efforts to further strengthen the data ecosystem. I am certain that NDAP, with its mission to be a one-stop and user-friendly data platform, will go a long way in transforming India’s data ecosystem.’

Mr Amitabh Kant explained the context for the development of NDAP, ‘NITI Aayog has always promoted and championed the use of data in all spheres of governance. It is therefore natural that NITI Aayog takes the lead in providing the nation with a simple and compelling platform where various datasets can be accessed together. This has been a longstanding gap in the data ecosystem, which NITI Aayog is now seeking to try and address.’

Senior Adviser Anna Roy, who is leading this initiative within NITI Aayog, expounded the need for NDAP: ‘We are seeking to address three main gaps. One, all datasets are not published in a user-centric manner that is analyzable and visually presented. Two, there are a multitude of datasets out there that is not easily accessible. The NDAP proposes a simple, interactive, visual, and robust platform that will host various Central and state government datasets.’

An inter-ministerial committee will oversee the progress of the development of platform and a group of leading experts have been inducted into an advisory group to provide technical guidance for the development of the platform. The success of the endeavour is dependent on the cooperation and support of various stakeholders.

The development of NDAP will take place over a period of one year. The first version of the platform is expected to be launched in 2021. The process will follow a user-centric approach, and will incorporate feedback received from various users and stakeholders throughout the course of its development.

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Union Minister of State for Shipping (Independent Charge) and Chemicals &Fertilizers Shri Mansukh Mandaviya today met  the  Secretary General of IMO Mr. Kitack Lim at the 50th Annual Meeting of World Economic Forum at Davos, Switzerland.

Shri Mansukh Mandaviya Shipping (I/C) and Chemical & Fertilizers with theSecretary General, IMO Mr. Kitack Lim in meeting at the 50th Annual Meeting of World Economic Forum at Davos, Switzerland

In this meeting, mutual discussions were held regarding various Global Maritime issues concerning India like Ban on Single Use Plastic by India for reducing Marine Pollution, Availability of low Sulphur fuel complying to IMO 2020 Convention and installation of Mahatma Gandhi Bust at IMO Headquarter, London.

As India is celebrating 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, Shri Mandaviya impressed upon setting up of the ‘Mahtama Gandhi Bust’ at the IMO Headquarters, as a mark of respect to the great global leader. Secretary General, Mr. Kitack Lim consented for setting up the bust at IMO headquarters, London. “This will be one of the prominent busts of Mahatma Gandhi at UN headquarters in the world. It is indeed a matter of great honor and proud moment for India”, Shri Mansukh Mandaviya stated there during media briefing.

Further, India’s engagement with IMO and role with the International community in the global maritime scenario was applauded by the Secretary General, IMO. India’s recent initiatives for accession to Hong Kong Convention and enactment of the Recycling Act 2019 were also greatly acknowledged and appreciated. Mr. Kitack Lim has assured to extend his full co-operation for the Indian Seafarers injail / custody in different countries.

Shri Mansukh Mandaviya is presently on his four-day official visit to Davos to attend the Annual World Economic Forum Meeting 2020 and having one-on-one meetings with all important World leaders and CEOs of the global companies.

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NB/MS

The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways has assigned a new motor vehicle Registration Mark “DD” to ‘Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu’ for registration of vehicles. A new Union Territory has been formed after merger of Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu.   The Ministry has issued a  Notification No. S.O. 295(E) dated 22nd January, 2020 to this effect, under the Motor Vehicle Act 1988.

This will be  implemented from 26^th  January, 2020.

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Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways and MSMEs Shri Nitin Gadkari has stressed upon strict adherence to project schedules. Chairing the first day of the two-day long review meeting of NHAI-Ministry projects with Minister of State Gen (Retd) Dr V.K. Singh, officials from the Ministry, NHAI, NHIDCL and State Authorities in Haryana’s Manesar today, the Minister called for adopting best practices in project management and construction. He said, while he is committed to quality, he has zero tolerance towards corruption. He added that any inter-ministerial issues holding up a project may be brought to the notice of the Ministry for his intervention to expedite resolution.

Projects from the Southern and Central zones that include Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Puducherry, Telangana, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh are among those reviewed today.

The Minister also launched online Web Portal ‘GATI’ on the occasion. The portal has been created by NHAI taking inspiration from the PRAGATI Portal used by PMO. It can be accessed from NHAI Website and contractors/concessionaires can raise any project related issues on the Portal. The issue will immediately come to the notice of every official of NHAI including top management, and immediate action will be taken by the concerned officer, duly updating on the Portal. The issues raised in the GATI will be daily monitored by a team of officers in NHAI and will be constantly reviewed by the senior officers of NHAI and the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways. This will bring transparency and speed up the decision making giving real GATI to highway construction.

A total of 500 projects valued at Rs 3 lakh crore will be reviewed in the following two days. The projects from North-Eastern states, Maharashtra, Uttarkhand, Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir, Laddakh, Haryana, Bihar, Odisha, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh will be reviewed tomorrow.

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Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Shri Dhamendra Pradhan has called upon all the stakeholders to contribute positively in transforming India into a gas based economy.  Presiding over the national conclave on emerging opportunities in the natural gas sector here today, he said that the present share of gas in the energy basket of the country is 6.2% and the target is to take it to15% by 2030.  He said that the world average is 24% while within the country, the Gujarat has 26% share of gas based energy.

Describing the natural gas as the next generation fossil fuel which is comparatively cheaper and less polluting, Shri Pradhan said that the Government has taken a number of initiatives to give thrust to gas based economy.  He said that the domestic gas production is likely to increase in the current financial year to 34.55 billion cubic metre.   Pricing and LNG marketing freedoms have been given to gas producers, LNG terminal capacity is being augmented and national gas grid is being developed.  Shri Pradhan said that this is the first time that Government of India is providing Rs.10,500 crore worth of viability gap funding for laying pipeline in Eastern and North-Eastern India.  He said gas pipeline network will be ready from Kutch to Kohima and Kashmir to Kochi.  Shri Pradhan said that 4 lakh crore rupee worth of investment is likely to be made in such projects which is a challenge as well as an opportunity.He said that the sources of import have been diversified and the Government is holding discussions with gas-exporting countries for getting more gas on favourable terms. He said that CBG is a great initiative which has the potential to generate wealth from waste, provide employment, protect the environment, and give boost to the economy.

Calling upon the States to fully cooperate and support the gas infrastructure activities and projects, he said Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has prepared a draft Policy of City Gas Distribution (CGD), which may be adopted by States to facilitate such activities.

Shri Pradhan said that PNGRB is likely to soon start bid round 11 for CGD and States make like to give suggestions in identification of geographical areas.  He also called upon the States to adopt qualification packs developed by Hydrocarbon Sector Council in their Vocational Training Institutes.   He called upon the States to actively promote CNG usage in State transportation and mining sector.

Shri Pradhan called upon all the entities who have bagged CGD rounds to not delay their work and immediately start action.  He also called upon PNGRB to strictly monitor the progress.

Shri Pradhan announced that Federation of Indian Petroleum Industry (FIPI) will have a Help Desk for holding any future interaction with all stakeholders. He assured full support to all the stakeholders who are part of the gas based supply chain.

In today’s meeting State Ministers from Gujarat, Assam, Odisha, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Manipur, Chhattisgarh, Punjab and Goa participated.  They also gave suggestions for improving the gas network in the country.  Besides various stakeholders from private and public sector involved in various aspects of supply chain of gas distribution took part in the conference.

An exhibition was also inaugurated by the Minister, highlighting various developments and initiatives in the gas sector.

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YB/SK